5. Join Your Military Community
Take advantage of ready-made opportunities from the military community (FRGs, spouses’ clubs and your unit events, for example).
These organizations are designed to help spouses connect with spouses, and they offer a wide variety of ways to get involved with the military community. Many of the spouses interviewed for this article recommend attending spouses’ groups and military-sponsored events.
It Works For These Spouses. . .
“Don’t be afraid to go to military events,” says Army spouse Tracy Schoen. “Chances are, you will meet people who could end up being friends for life.”
Dawn Bailey, Navy spouse, recommends joining a spouses’ club. “They have different sub-groups within clubs, such as coffee club and scrapbooking club. That way you can meet people with the same interests.”
Air Force spouse Andrea Martin agrees: “I’ve met some of my best friends by being involved with the military spouse community.”
6. Volunteer
Offering to work as a volunteer helps you find others with like interests, gives you a sense of purpose, and helps you become an integral part of a community or organization, all while making a difference.
It Works For This Spouse. . .
“When we PCS, I make sure my first stop is to our Family Readiness Officer to find out about volunteer opportunities,” says Kama Shockey. “This inevitably leads to friends with like-minded goals and sometimes even job opportunities where friends abound!”
7. Be A Friend
Friendship requires effort from two people. Be the friend you WANT to have, and you will connect with others quickly.
It Works For This Spouse. . .
“Mutual respect and kindness is important with any friendship,” says Jennifer Bassett, Marine Corps veteran and Coast Guard spouse. Basset points out that friends should be supportive of one another, no matter what.
8. Create Happiness
If you decide you are going to be happy, you probably will be. Opportunities abound for military spouses to get out and meet others while making a difference in society.
Choose to create situations where friendships can grow.
It Works For This Spouse. . .
“An assignment is what you make it. It’s great to have a positive attitude and embrace military life,” says Hannah Wilkinson, Army spouse.
